樂邦文類 1.8

1.8

During the Qiandao era [1165–1173], the Deshou Palace personally dipped the imperial brush and wrote in large characters the two words "Lotus Society," bestowing it on the Defense Commissioner and Route Area Commander of Western Zhejiang, Zhang [Yan]. With dragons soaring and phoenixes dancing, the eight methods of calligraphy were fully complete—truly a rare auspicious omen of the Yellow River and Luo River charts in this world! I humbly reflect that Emperor Gaozong molded the realm under heaven with the transformative influence of Yao and Shun; with his merit accomplished he did not remain in place, casting off the myriad chariots as if discarding a worn shoe. In the leisure of his retirement, he let his mind roam through the inner scriptures, and furthermore wished to revive the custom of buddha-mindfulness of Mount Lu; hence he made this gesture. Examining the records of emperors and kings since antiquity who flourished the Buddhist teaching, some established stupas and monasteries, some translated scriptures and treatises, and some ordained monks and nuns on a wide scale; but never have I heard of one who wielded the brush and moistened the ink to promote the Pure Land, enabling all people to ascend and emerge from the five turbidities like our sagely sovereign. To this day, both within and beyond the four seas, societies are established following the ancient ways, and the sound of buddha-mindfulness fills the ears in grand abundance. Thus we know that supreme virtue is like the wind and the people's response is like the grass: it happens spontaneously without expecting it. Let me try to discuss it.